Bandwidth or internet throttling is the practice of Internet Service Provider (ISP) purposely slowing down the internet service it is offering its clients. This controversial practice, which is cited as a means of regulating network traffic and reducing bandwidth congestion, is done in Canada more than anywhere else in the word according to Canada.com.
The study that led to the conclusion was conducted by Measurement Lab, an open platform for research with a focus on internet measurement tools that enhance overall internet transparency. The dataset used for the study was collected over a three year period beginning in January 2009 and ending in March of this year.
According to the study, Rogers Communications Inc., the country’s largest provider throttles a whopping 80 per cent of its file sharing traffic, including peer to peer sharing services such as BitTorrent transfers. They were not alone in the practice, with Bell Mobility doing similar slowing to 77 per cent of their file sharing traffic as well.
It has been known for some time that internet throttling was occurring in Canada, with the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) having issued official statements and policies in 2009. This led to Rogers and Bell announcing that they would eventually discontinue the practice at various points of this year ranging from June to the end of the year.
If you suspect that your internet connection is being throttled, Measurement Lab offers a tool which allows you to test your connection.
By the way, if you have a TELUS Mobility connection, you can give yourself a small pat on the back. The company filtered 0 per cent of its file sharing traffic, otherwise known as the right amount.
RIM Will be Cutting Several Jobs in Nova Scotia
Hey Canada, Own a Galaxy S II, S III or Galaxy Note? Jelly Bean is Coming Your Way
Lunches So Good Kids Can’t Ignore Them
Invigorating Ginger Smoothie
The U.K.’s Youngest Parents Ever
The new hair Jennifer Lawrence